My GetGelled Manicure Bar Experience

Recently, I had the most fun ever at a nail bar. 

As crazy as it seems, I can count the times I've had fun at a nail bar on one hand.

The place I'm talking about is called Get Gelled! Manicure bar.

A new, cute and modern place located in the Yonge/Bloor area.

I was recently contacted by Sun (owner) to see if I was interested in one of their services. After looking at her portfolio I knew I had to come in. I'm obsessed with nail art! I never got the opportunity to get it done in my area because nobody knows what the hell I'm talking about. Sun knew exactly wanted!

 

Here is the finished outcome!

GORGEOUS!!!!

Close-up of my nails

Unfortunately, I lost the bow today :( 

It was a lovely seven days...haha.

This totally gives me the opportunity to go back again!

If you're in the area check out Get Gelled! Manicure Bar.

Need Help With Your Glasses?

Recently, I got my eyes tested again. The verdict was actually much better than I thought it would be. My eyesight has hardly changed in the past five years. I'll be 100% honest with you all... I wear my glasses like once every six months. I basically need them if I sit very far in the movie theatre or when I stare at my screen for too long without breaks.

I currently have a really nice hot pink pair but now I'm looking for something much more classy.

If you're like me and you don't know where to start, check out these videos:

How To Find Glasses That Fit

How To Choose The Best Lenses For Your Glasses

*This is a sponsored post*

My Top Five Uses for Vaseline

Growing up Vaseline was a holy grail in our household. We used it for everything!

I recently got this super cute mini swarovski vaseline lip therapy jar at a unilever event.

 I've always wanted one since I've seen them on the Tyra show(years ago).

 

I'm honestly not sure if these are for sale but it always spark several questions once I bring it out.
Super cute! Now on to the vaseline uses!

1. Hair I remember my mom using it to keep my "flyaways" in place. 
2. Makeup RemoverI use to wear a lot of waterproof mascara and vaseline was the quickest way to remove it.
3. MoisturizerThis one is pretty obvious but it always made my skin look great.
4. LipsQuickly relieved chapped lips. You can also make a DIY lip scrub by adding sugar!
5. NailsI remember a past coworker of mine moisturizing vaseline into her hands every night. She even went as far as wearing gloves to bed. Crazy but her hands were always super soft and her nails were hard!

What is your favourite vaseline use?

Win Tickets to Screening of Safe Haven! With Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough in Attendance

If I had it my way I would watch movies all day.
It's the perfect way to get away from it all for two to three hours.
Alliance has come our with a great movie that may interest you called 'Safe Haven'!

'Safe Haven' opens on Valentines day and stars Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough. An affirming and suspenseful story about a young woman’s struggle to love again, Safe Haven is based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films The Notebook and Dear John.

I looved The Notebook & Dear John so I know this will be a good movie.
Guess what! 

Alliance is offering four Spiced Beauty readers the opportunity to score some FREE advance DOUBLE passes (for you & a friend) to see the film this Monday January 21st with the talent in attendance Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough!

How awesome is that!

Have you ever been to a advanced screening of a film with the stars in attendance!|!

**This giveaway is for anyone who is a GFC follower & able to get to the Toronto Area**

HOW TO WIN:

Four followers that fill out every entry correctly in my rafflecopter widget wins!

I will be in contact with the winners directly!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch the movie trailer preview:

* Giveaway details and are subject to change without notice.

GLAMGLOW Youth-Mud Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask

If you haven't already noticed, I'm a very picky person. Especially when it comes to skin care. 

There are so many products out with unbelievable claims.

I had the opportunity to test out GLAMGLOW Youth-Mud Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask ($69.00) at the Glossy Box TO party back in December.

Photo credit: Lubin Tasevski / Andrea Hunter

Let me add this- Canadian ladies save 10% on your first Glossy Box with the code Glossy29.

After walking around the party seeing ladies with a green masks drying on their hand, I decided to check GLAMGLOW out. I was met by a nice lady who gave me some claims which in my opinion sounded too good to be true.

Designed as a 10-minute professional ‘facial in a jar’ for behind-the-scenes use in Hollywood’s Entertainment, Music, Fashion & Award industries, for immediate camera- ready glowing skin. GLAMGLOW’s mud base is from the South of France Mediterranean Sea, home to glamorous Cannes, St. Tropez & Monaco. GLAMGLOW’s moisturizing collagen synthesis is for both men & women. Use a couple of times a week or simply when you need GLAM-tastic™ skin.

• Leaves skin noticeably radiant and glowing.
• Activates moisturizing collagen synthesis.
• Provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation.
• Helps to leave skin smoother, brighter and softer.
• Provides tighter skin texture and tighter pores.
• Helps to provide a more youthful appearance.
• Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils.
• Helps to protect against free radical damage.

This stuff is amazing! 

If you have sensitive skin like me, I'll warn you it really tingles at first.

I contemplated washing it all off but the tingling subsided eventually. If you can't handle the tingle, I was told that you can keep the mask on for half of the recommended time. 

I also love the fact that you can determine how much of a "scrub" you want. 

The formula has green tea leaves in it which promotes anti-aging and gives you radiant skin. Who doesn't want that!!

GLAMGLOW Youth-Mud can be found at Sephora & Murale in Canada.

Jessica Alba at the Golden Globe Awards Rocking Hourglass Cosmetics

I've peeled myself away from watching the Golden Globes awards to post this all for you. Didn't Jessica Alba look stunning!! I still can't believe that she's a mother of two. She rocked that fab peach-coloured gown by Oscar de la Renta.

She's is also wearing one of my favourite makeup brands Hourglass cosmetics. I was sent this breakdown and I know that someone may want to recreate the look!

Skin: 
Makeup Artist Lauren Andersen prepped the skin with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, and followed with Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Sand. She then used Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Warm under the eyes, down the bridge of the nose and fanned the product out in the center of the forehead to create dimension. She finished the skin step with the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light applied all over to create a golden, subtle warmth. “It’s a soft, refined shimmer that’s glowy,” says Lauren.

Cheeks: 
She used the bronze shade from Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset to contour the cheeks and followed with the blush shade on the apples of the cheeks.

Eyes: 
Hourglass Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil in Espresso was first applied to the outer corners of the eyes and then smudged it with a brush. Lauren then applied Hourglass Superficial Waterproof Bronzer in the crease of the eyes and the gold shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Dune on the lids. Lashes were treated to several coats of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara. She finished up by amplifying the brows with Hourglass Arch Sculpting Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette.


Lips: 
Finally, Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera, a vibrant tangerine shade, was applied to the lips. The velvety matte color delivers richly pigmented and long-lasting coverage for up to 14 hours.

Ladies! 

How do you feel about this look?

Love it or hate?

Current Obsession: Avon Ultra Sexy Collection

It's been a while since I've tried anything from Avon. 

Lately, I've seen some great products come out and I'm happy that I had the opportunity to try it out.
First up is my current obsession is Avon Ultra Sexy Collection.

Flirty Fragrance Sensation of luscious strawberry, tantalizing jasmine and smokey cedarwood.

Ultra Sexy Shimmering Body Powder $12.00CDN

With a glam puff for a provocative dusting of shimmer and scent.

Ultra Sexy Body Mist $14.00CDN

An irresistible fruity-floral cocktail to wear wherever you dare.

Ultra Sexy Body Moisturizer $10.00CDN

A voluptuous body lotion infused with luscious scent.

Ultra Sexy Body Scrub $10.00CDN

A beguiling body smoother for skin that begs to be touched.

I could bathe in this, it smells so good!

What is your favourite Avon scent?

Best Concealer EVER: LA Girl High Definition Pro Concealer

Sometimes you stumble on a product that is so amazing that you want to buy the whole stock!

I found one that will you run out and buy it today!

I won't lie, I've never paid any attention to La Girl products before. I believe I've seen them in a few dollar stores before but the stock was low and the items were not appealing.

I found the LA Girl High Definition Pro Concealer for $2.99. Being a WOC, it's hard for me to find a concealer with enough yellow & red for my skin tone.  I took a chance and bought chestnut and hoped that it would work.

Plus it was only $2.99, if it didn't work  I was okay with throwing it out. Each tube has a brush-tip applicator. Which is perfect for under eyes because it's soft!

Can you believe that I got a PERFECT match on my first try! 

This is everything that I would want in a concealer! 

1. Creamy
2. Lightweight
3. Buildable
4. Affordable

I love the fact that it has Chamomile extract plus vitamin C & E in the formula.

Get your colour here before they sell out:

Here is a picture of me using it under my eyes.

I don't have foundation on.

I'm so happy to share this with you all! 

Please let me know if you purchase it!

Maybelline - Color Sensational® Vivids Lipstick Swatches

As you can tell I'm on a serious lipstick kick right now! There are still so many different shades and finishes out there that I can't wait to get my hands on. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to try out the Maybelline Vivids for a few weeks now.

 
I'm in love! 

Maybelline has been putting out one hit product after another lately. I'm happy to say I've been a fan of every single one!

• 8 super saturated lip shades.
• Brighter color from our exclusive vivid pigments.
• Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar. 

Why do I love the lipsticks you ask? 
Because they apply true to color! The color that you see when you take off the cap is exactly what you see when you apply it!

These lipsticks are also quite long lasting and moisturizing. My lips didn't dry out throughout the day and I didn't have to apply it as much as I would some of my other lipsticks. I also have pigmented lips and it shows up perfectly on me.

Swatches: 

I'm sorry I didn't get to do a lip swatch with all of them but I love Hot Plum.
I think this might be my signature color for 2013!

Plus they only cost $9.99.

Which color is your favourite?

L'Oreal Colour Caresse by Colour Riche Swatches

Is it me or have you seen a lot of brands coming out with new lip products within the past 6 months! L'oreal Colour Caresse by Colour Riche was one of my favourite products of 2012!

I was asked on twitter if I could swatch some of the other colours.

Let me know which one is your favourite!

Suggested retail for each lipstick is around $12.99. Look out for my Color Riche Caresse Shine Stain Lip Colors swatches later this month.

Buy it now:
Canada
USA

Redken Smooth Lock + Giveaway!

Right now the cold weather in Canada is taking a toll on me. As a Beauty Blogger, thankfully I have the tools to nurse my skin & hair back to health (I'll share some other products with you in another post). Right now, my issue is how dry my hair is. I'm happy that I had the opportunity to try out the new smooth lock line from Redken.

NEW Smooth Lock, Redken’s latest haircare innovation, includes an exclusive semi-permanent salon service that seals in frizz-free manageability and smoothness that last up to 10 shampoos! At home, heat-activated formulas deeply nourish and protect to extend the service results by 3 shampoos**! Unfortunately Smooth Lock is not recommended for bleached or chemically relaxed hair.

Canadians! 

What is your current situation?

Redken can help!

Do you need volume? Is your hair fine? Or bleached?

Redken is giving one lucky Spiced Beauty Reader the opportunity to cure 
their hair woes this Winter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Bio Sculpture Gel Nails Experience

I try my best to be up on the latest nail art and innovations.
On December 1, I had the opportunity to try out Bio Sculpture Gel Nails.

Bio Sculpture Gel is a one component nail treatment that strengthens and promotes the growth of natural nails. Applied onto a prepared nail our product cures under a UVA light, leaving the nail strong but flexible with a natural glossy finish.

Whenever it gets cold, my nails start to chip. I will admit, I do not take enough care as I should to prevent breakage. As you can see here my nails are REALLY uneven. Before my appointment, I cut my nails down to a manageable length.

I decided to get sculpted gel extensions added to my nails and I loved the outcome.

I've never had any type of process done to my nails before but it was safe!

No dust or horrible smelling chemicals needed.

Does that look sooo natural!

My favourite part about the process was how there were no drills! That was my biggest fear.. 

I didn't want my nails to be filed down so thin that they would lose their strength. 

It's hard to explain but people who have had acrylics done know exactly what I'm talking about.

After the extensions were applied, we started the colour process. Non-chip Nail Colour Gel was applied to each nail. The colours come in pot as seen above. I was surprised to know that they have OVER 100 colours to choose from!

Finished Outcome!

I'm all about the crazy nails and so was my nail tech. Sooo we had a little fun!

I got a lot of compliments on my crazy marble nail. Can you believe she did it free hand!

No water or decals. That's talent!

Experience:
I loved the shine and durability of the nails. I work with my hands a lot and things which would usually break a nail.. didn't! A huge selling point for me would be how natural looking the extensions were. She had a mix that looked like my natural nail colour.

My only con would be the length that I got. I choose the length- so I'm not blaming anyone for what happened to some of the nails. Just like with my natural nails when they get to long they start to break at the sides. That happened to three of nails because my natural nails grow like weeds! Nobodies fault but myself. I totally tried to push the boundries. Next time, I'll stick to a comfortable length.

I should also add that they sell the matching nail polish for any colour you get! So once your gel colour starts to grow out add your "same"colour polish over it and it will look just like new!

Interested in getting Bio Sculpture nails? Contact Bio Sculpture Customer Service at: 1-877-424-6435 ext 80 for a salon anywhere in Canada which does it.